Portable collapsible backstop



PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP Filed April '21, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet 1 so I Y INVEN TOR. LEE F. UPHAUS ATTQZQREEYSw Oct. 28, 1969 L. F. UPHAUS PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21. 1967 INVENTOR.

LEE F. UPHAUS A TORN V EYS 000 0 00 00 00000 0 00 0. 0000000 0 0 0 0 n 0n0n0n0 0 0 0.90000 0000 0 0 0. n vn u 000 v FIG.8

Oct. 23, 1969 UPHAUS 3,475,025

PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP Filed April 21, 1967 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 V JNVENTOR. LEE F. UPHAUS i TTORNY$ United States Patent 3,475,025 PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE BACKSTOP Lee F. Uphaus, 2766 Sarita Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 Filed Apr. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 632,617 Int. Cl. A63b 71/00, 63/04 US. Cl. 273-25 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to backstops and more particularly to an improved portable and collapsible backstop.

Many attempts have been made in the past to provide an inexpensive and portable backstop for use at the rear of a batters box in games such as baseball, softball, and the like. However, previously proposed backstops generally are comparatively expensive to produce, or are very bulky in size. In addition, previous attempts'to make a backstop which is portable and collapsible to small size have resulted in providing a backstop which is too small and generally inadequate.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved backstop of simple and economical construction.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a backstop which is not only portable but which is collapsible to a comparatively small size so that it may be readily handled and stored.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a portable and collapsible backstop which is easy to erect and disassemble.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved backstop of the character mentioned which utilizes flexible netting means to enable collapse to a very small compact size yet wherein the character of such netting means is such that it provides adequate backstop protection for a ball striking thereagainst.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved portable collapsible backstop of the character mentioned which has a plurality of four cooperating wall means which provide a large backstop surface area.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved backstop having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved backstop of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of rigid structural members comprising the backstop of FIGURE 1 in their folded condition and with foldable netting removed, and also showing by dotted lines the manner of partially opening the completely folded backstop.

FIGURE 3 is a front view (with foldable netting removed) showing elongated base beam means of the backstop of FIGURE 1 moved to its fully extended position in presenting the first of a series of preferred steps used to erect such backstop and also showing side frame means hingedly fastened at opposite ends of such elongated base beam means.

FIGURE 4 is a top view showing the second preferred assembly step wherein side frame means comprising the backstop of FIGURE 1 are moved to their outwardly extended positions.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the left side of such backstop, as viewed in FIGURE 1, in its collapsed condition and also showing the foldable netting means and associated rope means fastened to structural members comprising such side frame means.

FIGURE 6 is a side view showing the third preferred assembly step using the left side of such backstop for illustrative purposes and showing the manner of partially erecting such left side.

FIGURE 7 is a side view illustrating a fourth assembly step and showing the side wall means of FIGURE 6 in a further erected position.

FIGURE 8 is a side view illustrating the side wall means of FIGURE 5 in its fully erected position.

FIGURE 9 is a view of an exemplary fastening hinge means used to hinge together a pair of adjoining members comprising the side frame means of the backstop of FIGURE 1 and particularly illustrating the arrangement of rope means and foldable netting means with respect to such exemplary fastening hinge means.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view illustrating the manner of pivotally fastening supporting rod means to one of the rear frame members comprising the side frame means of the backstop of FIGURE 1.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved backstop of the type used in playing ball games such as baseball, softball, and the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide an improved backstop, or the like, for other uses, as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate an example of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an improved backstop means or backstop designated generally by the numeral 20 is illustrated. Backstop 20 of this example of the invention has a plurality of four wall means or walls comprising a rear wall means 21 and a pair of substantially identical symmetrically arranged side wall means each designated generally by the numeral 22 and top wall means designated generally by the numeral 23. Each of the wall means 21, 22, and 23 has foldable netting means comprising the major portion thereof and such foldable netting is of such a mesh that it will prevent a ball, such as a baseball or a softball from passing therethrough.

As will be apparent from the following description, backstop 20 is collapsible to a very small size for easy handling, transportation, and storage. In addition, backstop 20 is of comparatively light weight and is quickly and readily erected into position for use at any location, such as ones backyard, a regular ball field, or any vacant lot suitable for playing baseball, softball, or the like.

Backstop 20 has elongated base beam means shown as an elongated base beam designated generally by the numeral 25 and such base beam comprises a pair of substantially identical equal length sections or members each designated by the numeral 26. Equal length members 26 are hingedly fastened together at their inner ends by hinge means shown as a hinge 30 which is fastened to each member 26 in any suitable manner. In this example of the invention elongated members 26 are shown as wooden members and hinge 30 is preferably fastened in position by wood screws, or the like.

Backstop 20 has a pair of side frame means which are substantially of identical construction and each side frame means is fastened to an associated terminal end of elongated beam means or beam 25 in a hinged manner. In this example of the invention the hinge means utilized to hinge each side frame means at opposite ends of elongated beam 25 comprises an elongated pin 33 extending through an opening 34 in a base member 35 comprising each side frame means and through a cooperating opening 36 provided in each member 26 adjacent its terminal outer end.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, each member 35 is placed with its opening 34 in aligned relation over an associated opening 36 provided in an associated member 26 comprising beam 25. Pin 33 is then extended through such aligned openings to fasten member 35 and hence an associated side frame means in position in a hinged or pivoted manner.

Each side frame means comprising a side wall means 22 comprises a plurality of frame members which are hingedly connected together at their adjoining ends to define the peripheral outline of the associated side wall means 22. While the number and specific arrangement of frame members which may be utilized and hingedly connected to define the peripheral frame means for each side wall means 22 may vary, in this example of the invention seven frame members are utilized, Thus, each side wall means 22 has a base member 35 as previously described, a pair of end to end frame members 40 and 41 defining rear edge means, a plurality of three end to end frame members 42, 43, and 44 defining front edge means, and a top edge member 45 extending between the top end of rear member 41 and the top end of front member 44 to define a pair of corners at the top rear and top front of side wall means 22 respectively and designated by the numerals 50 and 51 respectively.

Members 35, 40, 41, 45, 44, 43, and 42 are suitably hingedly fastened together at their associated ends to define a frame structure which is quadrilateral in configuration. In this example of the invention such quadrilateral is substantially trapezoidal in which one of the parallel sides of such trapezoidal configuration is defined :by members 42, 43, and 44 fastened end to end and is longer than the oppositely arranged parallel side defined by members 40 and 41. With this arrangement member 45 extending between members 44 and 41 is inclined at a downwardly inclined angle from the top of member 44 such that upon fastening top wall means thereto in a manner as will be subsequently described, such top wall means will slope from the front of backstop 20 toward the rear thereof and specifically toward rear wall means 21.

First netting means shown as a foldable net portion designated by the numeral 55 is fastened within the peripheral outline of the trapezoidal side frame members comprising each side wall 22. Foldable netting 55 may be fastened in positioned in any suitable manner; however, it is preferably fastened about its outer periphery to rope means shown as a substantially continuous loop rope 56 which is fastened along the frame members defining each side frame means.

By using rope 56 with each side wall 22, the foldable netting 55 may be fastened thereto at a comparatively large number of fastening positions while each continuous loop rope 56 need only be fastened in position in a manner as will be subsequently described at a comparatively few locations about the periphery of the structural frame members comprising the frame means of each side wall 22.

Netting means preferably comprising foldable netting means 60 is also provided and fastened between elongated base beam 25 and rear edge means or the rear members 40 and 41 of each side wall means 22. Foldable netting 60 may also have suitable rope means extending about its peripheral edges and such netting 60 and rope means comprises the previously mentioned rear wall means 21.

Another section of foldable netting designated generally by the numeral 62 is fastened between top edge means of each side wall 22 and a top edge means of netting 60 comprising rear wall 21. In this example of the invention, top netting 62 is fastened between top members 45 of side wall means 22 and the top edge of rear wall means 21 defined by another rope 64.

With the use of collapsible netting at all locations as described above, it will be seen that backstop 20 may be readily folded and collapsed into a compact package so as to be easily carried and easily stored in a minimum amount of space.

The previously mentioned rope means 64 is of such a length that it extends fairly tautly between the rear corners 50 of side wall means 22. Rope 64 supports foldable netting which is placed in adjoining relation thereto and specifically rope 64 supports the top edge of rear netting 60 and the rear edge of top netting 62 so as to prevent netting 60 and 62 from sagging while providing the required enclosure between rear wall 21 and top wall 23.

Backstop 20 further comprises another section of rope designated by the numeral 66 which extends between the top front corners 51 of side wall means 22. Rope 66 assures that top netting 62 extends across the front of backstop 20 in an essentially horizontal manner with minimum sag and so as to assure that a suitable top wall 23 is provided for backstop 20.

Each side wall means 22 has a comparatively rigid frame defining its outer periphery and each of the framing members has a cross-sectional area and configuration so as to enable such members to be easily hingedly fastened end to end while providing a frame structure having optimum riigdity. The pivotal or hinged connection at the rear end of each side wall means 22 as provided by pin 33 together with the comparatively large base width shown at 67 of each member 35 assures that each side wall is adequately supported in a vertical manner. Specifically, the width 67 of each member 35 with rod 33 in position assures that member 35 is supported without tendencies to tilt to one side or the other. Thus, it is seen that the structural arrangement of side wall means 22 with respect to elongated base beam 25 and the comparative light weight of the flexible netting material as well as the comparative light weight of the rope means used throughout assures that the backstop will remain in its erected position without requiring further support.

However, to provide added stability for the backstop 20 it may be desired to provide a pair of cooperating support rod means with each of said support rod means being pivotally fastened to an associated member defining rear edge means of each side wall 22. In this example of the invention, a rod 70 is pivotally fastened as by a pivot pin 71 at a corresponding vertical position on member 41 of each side wall means 22.

With backstop 20 in its collapsed or folded condition, each rod 70 is carried substantially along its associated member 41, see FIGURE 11. However, upon erecting backstop 20 support rods 70 are extended substantially horizontally and suitably fastened together at their swinging ends to provide added stability in a horizontal plane for backstop 20.

Each member 70 has a length which is compatible to the height of its associated member 41. This arrangement is preferred so that rods 70 will not interfere with the collapsing of backstop 20 to the configuration illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

Each rod-like member 70 is preferably of tubular construction and has its one end pivotally fastened by associated pivot pin 71 to member 41 as previously mentioned.

A telescoping portion 72 is used in association with tubular members 70 and is adapted to be inserted slidably within such members. Section 72 is normally carried within one of the tubular members 70 and upon erecting backstop to its fully assembled condition member 72 is telescoped outwardly and inserted within the oposite tubular member 70 and suitably fastened to provide added stability for backstop 20.

Any suitable means may be used to fasten members 70 together and preferably a pin, or the like, is fastened and carried on a short piece of rope, for example, fastened at the end of each member 70 and such pin is inserted through cooperating openings provided in the terminal end portions of members 70 and 72 transverse to their axes so as to firmly fasten members 70 together using telescoping section 72. This technique enables member 72 to be carried within one of the members 70 without interfering with the folding of backstop 20 to the compact configuration illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

Each member 70 may be fastened in position in any suitable manner along its associated member 41 with backstop 20 in its collapsed condition. In this example of the invention a spring catch designated by the numeral 75 is provided and member 70 is adapted to be inserted under spring catch 75 and yieldingly heldagainst member 41 by catch 75 during the time the backstop 20 is in its collapsed condition, and nested in groove means 77 in member 41.

The previously mentioned rope means 56 extending in a continuous loop about the outer periphery of each side wall means 22 is preferably carried in groove means in each structural frame member arranged in aligned relation so as to define a substantially continuous channel or groove in each side wall means designated generally by the numeral 80. Groove means 80 enables rope 56 to be inserted therewithin in substantially nested relation to thereby assure that there is minimum projection of such rope and foldable netting 55 from the outer surface of an associated side wall means 22.

Each rope 56 may be fastened in position within its associated groove means 80 in any suitable manner. In this example of the invention a plurality of spaced apart clamps each designated by the numeral 81, and only a representative few of which have been so designated, are utilized to hold rope 56 in position.

The manner of hingedly fastening the rigid members comprising the outer periphery of each side wall means 22 is illustrated in detail in one exemplary showing and as presented in FIGURE 9 of the drawings. Thus, it will be seen that hinge means designated generally by the numeral 85 has been provided between a pair of rear sections or members 40 and 41 comprising side wall means 22. Hinge 85 is fastened in position to associated ends of members 40 and 41 in any suitable manner as by suitable screws, or the like.

The use of hinge 85 and the manner of attaching such hinge in position as illustrated in FIGURE 9 is merely an example of the way the particular members comprising the outer periphery of each side wall means 22 may be fastened in position. It will be appreciated that a similar fastening is provided at each junction of a rigid member comprising the outer periphery of side wall means 22 with an adjoining associated member.

The utilization of rope means in the manner described herein enables the foldable netting comprising each associated wall means to be fastened to such rope means at substantially equal predetermined intervals. Further, upon erecting the backstop 20 in the manner illustrated it will be seen that the foldable netting is essentially stretched taut to provide maximum elfectivity.

Having described the various component parts of backstop 20 it will be appreciated from FIGURES 2-8 the simplicity with which such backstop may be folded into a very compact size which is only a small fractional part of the height of backstop 20 and further has a transverse dimension which is quite narrow and substantially equal to the combined thickness of side wall means 22.

For simplicity of presention, FIGURES 2-4 have been shown with the foldable netting eliminated as previously mentioned. However, it will be appreciated that the assembly and disassembly of backstop 20 will take place with the netting suitably fastened in position.

The backstop 20 as presented in FIGURE 1 may be folded to the compact configuration illustrated by solid lines in FIGURE 2. The description will now proceed with reference to the manner of erecting backstop 20 from the configuration of FIGURE 2; however, it will be appreciated that the reverse action would be followed in disassemblying or folding backstop 20.

As seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the rigid frame members are first folded from their solid line position in FIGURE 2 to the dotted line position and then to the fully straightened position as seen in FIGURE 3. Thus, the rigid frame members comprising each side wall means 22 are arranged in position and supported vertically above, i.e. substantially coplanar with, an associated section 26 comprising base beam 25.

The structural members comprising each side frame means are then folded outwardly to extend from elongated base beam 25 in the manner illustrated in FIG' URE 4. Such side frame means or side wall means 22 may be arranged so that they extend substantially perpendicular to the base beam 25; however, it may be desired to arrange side wall means 22 so that they diverge slightly away from base beam 25.

Having once placed each side wall means 22 as illustrated in FIGURE 4, each of such side wall means is then fully erected in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 5-8 of the drawings. FIGURE 5 illustrates the various peripheral rigid members comprising each side wall means 22 folded inwardly to define a compact package of small volume. The folded rigid members are partially erected as seen in FIGURE 6, FIGURE 7 illustrates a further step in the erecting sequence, and finally FIGURE 8 illustrates such side wall means fully erected in position.

Having once erected the side wall means 22 at each side of backstop 20 it will be seen that an enclosure is provided which has four wall means cooperating to define an enclosure for stopping a baseball, softball, or the like. To provide added strength and rigidity to the thus erected backstop 20 the rod-like members are fastened in position in the manner as previously illustrated and described.

The rope-like means 56, 64, and 66 previously described may be made of any rope-like material and may be made of a fibrous material, a plastic material, or any suitable rope-like material suitable for the purpose.

In addition, each section of foldable netting may be made of any suitable netting material which is capable of preventing a baseball, softball, or the like, from going through even when forcefully thrown or directed thereagainst.

In this example of the invention base beam 25 is shown resting on top of the ground; however, it will be appreciated that if a more permanent installation is desired base beam 25 may be partially embedded in position and even suitably anchored in some instances.

Terms such as upwardly, downwardly, inwardly, outwardly, side wall, rear wall, top wall, and the like, have been used in this disclosure of the invention for ease of description and merely to correspond to the arrangement of the various component parts as illustrated in the drawings, and such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of this invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an inexpensive collapsible and portable backstop has been provided by this invention.

Further, this invention provides such a backstop having a plurality of four wall means and which is readily 7 assembled and folded into a compact size for easy transportation and storage.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable collapsible backstop comprising, an elongated base beam means, a pair of side frame means, first hinged means for fastening said side frame means at opposite ends of said base beam means in a hinged manner, first netting means fastened within the peripheral outline of each of said side frame means to define side wall means for said backstop, second netting means fastened to said base means and extending between and fastened to rear edge means of each of said side frame means to define rear wall means for said backstop, and third foldable netting means extending between and fastened to top edge means of each of said side frame means and to top edge means of said second netting means to define top wall means for said backstop, whereby said backstop is readily collapsed to a comparatively small size to enable easy transportation and storage by folding each of said side frame means about its associated first hinged means substantially coplanar with an associated portion of said elongated beam means and said backstop is readily erected simply by moving each of said side frame means about its associated first hinge means to a position substantially transverse to its associated portion of said elongated beam means.

2. A backstop as set forth in claim 1 in which said second netting means comprises second foldable netting means and said backstop further comprises first rope means extending between top rear corner means of said pair of side frame means, said first rope means supporting adjoining edge means of foldable netting means defining both said top wall means and said rear wall means.

3. A backstop as set forth in claim 1 in which said second netting means comprises second foldable netting means and said backstop further comprises first rope means extending between top rear corner means of said pair of side frame means and second rope means extending between top front corner means of said pair of side frame means, said first rope means supporting adjoining edge means of said foldable netting means defining said rear wall means and said top wall means, and said second rope means supporting front edge means of said third foldable netting means defining said top wall means.

4. A backstop as set forth in claim 1 in which said first netting means comprises first foldable netting means, said pair of side frame means are of identical peripheral outline, and each of said side frame means comprises a plurality of frame members hingedly connected to define said frame means having a substantially quadrilateral peripheral outline when erected, said members with said first foldable netting attached thereto being foldable substantially into a common vertical plane and coplanar with said base beam means to define a compact collapsed side frame means having a fraction of the vertical height of said erected side frame means.

5. A backstop as set forth in claim 4 in which said quadrilateral peripheral outline comprises a substantially trapezoidal peripheral outline in which one of the parallel sides of each side frame means is longer than the other and defines front edge means of said side frame means so that upon fastening said third foldable netting means across top edgemeans of said side frame means said top wall means slopes toward said rear wall means.

6. A backstop as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a pair of cooperating support rod means, one of said support rod means being pivotally fastened to a member defining rear edge means of one side frame means, and the other of said support rod means being pivotally fastened to another member defining rear edge means of the other side frame means, said support rod means being fastened together at their swinging ends upon erecting said backstop to provide added stability therefor.

7. A backstop as set forth in claim 4 in which, said second netting means comprises second foldable netting means, said elongated base beam means comprises two substantially equal length base sections, and said backstop further comprises second hinge means for hingedly fastening inner end means of said base sections, each of said base sections having an associated one of said side frame means hingedly fastened thereto adjacent its outer terminal end with an associated first hinge means, said equal length base sections being foldable alongside each other about said second hinge means, and said side frame members comprising one side frame means being foldable in a common plane with one of said base sections while said side frame members comprising another side frame means being foldable in a common plane with the other of said base sections, whereby said entire backstop is folded into a compact volume.

8. A backstop as set forth in claim 7 in which said side frame members comprising each side frame means are folded inwardly from their erected positions and in their folded condition are generally arranged within the length confines of their associated base section.

9. A backstop as set forth in claim 8 further comprising third rope means fastened about said frame members defining each side frame means, each of said third rope means having associated first foldable netting means fastened thereto to provide added support therefor about the entire periphery of said first netting means.

10. A backstop as set forth in claim 9 further comprising, groove means extending along each of said frame members comprising each of said side frame means so as to define a substantially continuous groove in each side frame means, with each continuous groove receiving an associated third rope means therewithin in substantially nested relation, and further comprising fastening means for fastening said third rope means in its associated continuous groove.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 708,579 5/1954 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner THEATRICE BROWN, Assistant Examiner 

